In the co-main event at Zuffa Boxing 6 held in Las Vegas on Sunday evening, Julian Rodriguez, holding a record of (26-1, 15 KOs), secured a 10-round unanimous decision victory over James Perella, who entered the match with an undefeated record of (21-1, 15 KOs).
During the third round, Rodriguez delivered a right hand, immediately followed by a jab, which sent the 6-foot-2½ Perella to the canvas. Rodriguez ultimately claimed the win with scorecards reading 100-89, 98-91, and 98-91.
Even with his decisive win, Rodriguez later expressed his disappointment over not managing to finish Perella, particularly after inflicting damage on him earlier in their encounter. The bout itself was not particularly captivating for spectators, as Perella largely maintained his distance throughout, employing defensive tactics, throwing quick jabs, and largely avoiding close-quarters exchanges.
Standing at 5’8″, Rodriguez showed reluctance to initiate offensive maneuvers frequently, given the punches he absorbed from Perella when attempting to close the distance. However, when Rodriguez successfully closed in, he capitalized by connecting with hooks to Perella’s head and delivering powerful blows to his body.
“I just wanted to secure the victory,” Rodriguez commented following the match. “My corner was growing increasingly frustrated with me. They were holding the belt like Joe Jackson, waiting for me to get to the corner to whip me for not stopping this guy.
“But it is what it is, a learning experience. I could have closed the show.”
Rodriguez indicated that he recognizes a need to refine his ability to transform commanding displays into more thrilling and conclusive endings.
“That’s something I have to outgrow,” stated Rodriguez. “The objective here is to ensure the event is exciting for the audience.”
Last Updated on 2026/05/11 at 12:29 AM
